Selector switches of the trigger actuated type



R. D. THOMAS July 13, 1965 SELECTOR SWITCHES OF THE TRIGGER ACTUATEDTYPE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 28, 1962 W# SVM/wg R. D. THOMAS July 13,1965 SELECTOR SWITCHES 0F THE TRIGGER ACTUATED TYPE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed May 28, 1962 July 13, 1965 R. D. THOMAS 3,194,898

SELECTOR SWITCHES OF THE TRIGGER ACTUATED TYPE Filed May 28, 1962 5Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent O 3,194,898 SELECTR SWETCHES F THETRIGGER ACTUATED TYPE Robert D. Thomas, Fox Point, Wis., assignor toCutler- Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of rDelaware fFiled May 28, 1962, Ser. No. 193,074 8 Claims. (Cl. 20G- 4) Thisinvention relates to .selector switches and more particularly toelectrical switche-s which are selectively :adjustable from a iirst4condi-tion wherein they are operable to perform .a first switchingoperation to a second condition wherein they are operable to perform asecond or different switching operation.

While not limited thereto, the invention is especially applicable todepressible trigger switches for selectively controlling reverseenergiza-tions of portable tool motors or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide improved electrical switches.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved reversibletrigger switch which is especially adapted for use on a portable toolhandle.

A more specic object is to provide an improved selector .switchoperating mechanism.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a depressibleswitch operator with improved lost motion means for selecting differentswitch contacts for closure.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide trigger switchesof the type .adapted for mounting wit-hin the handle of a portableelectric tool and having a trigger or actuator extending from suchhandle with improved contact preselector mechanism which permitsrotation of a portion of the trigger 180 degrees in order to rotate thecontact carrier 90 degrees whereby the rotatable portion of the triggerclears the hole in the handle to permit depression thereof.

Vhereinafter appear.

According to the invention, there are provided trigger switches of thepreselector type which are adapted for mount-ing in the handle of aportable electric tool or'the like. When .so mounted, the body of Itheswitch is within .the `handle and the trigger projects from the handleso that it may be depressed by the nger of the operator to close theswitch, The switch is provided with selectable contacts .and a selectorshaft is built into the trigger so that it may be rotated to selectcontacts which are thereafter closed when the .trigger is depressed. Theselection must first be made land then the trigger is presse-d to closethe selected contacts. For motor reversing connections, four stationarycontacts are spaced from one another at 90 degrees, pairs of which arebridged by .a pair of movablebridging contacts. Because the contactcarrier must be rotated 9S deg-rees for reversing the connection, the

selector mechanism is provided with 90 degrees lost motion to permitrotation ofthe front end of the trigger 180 degrees. `In this manner,the rotatable portion of the trigger may be suilciently large to atfordeasy gripping by the lingers, yet it will not interfere with depressionof the trigger because it can be rotated 180 degrees to clear thesymmetrical hole in the tool handle.

These and other objects .and advantages of the invention and the mannerof obtaining ythem will best be understood by reference to the followingdetailed description of embodiments of the invention taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: n

FIGURE l is a right-side elevation view of a selector switch constructedin accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan View of the switch of FIG. 1;

3,194,398 Patented July 13, 1965 roe FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 showing the selector in its clockwiseposition;

FIG. 4 .is a cross-sectional View like FIG. 3 except that the selectorhas been rotated `clockwise 9() degrees from its counterclockwi-seposition;

lFIG. 5 is a cross-sectional yView taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is :an isometric View of the trigger, the selector and thecontact carrier;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view showing the right side of the trigger;

FIG. 8 is a right-side elevation view of a modified selector switch;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 10 showingthe selector in its clockwise position; f FIG. l() is a front View oft-he switch of FIG. 8; and i FIG. 1l. is an isometric View of thetrigger and selector of the switch of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. l and 2, there is shown a trigger switch of theselector type -comprising a supporting member or base 2, a switch frame4, an insulator 6 between the base and the frame, a plunger or trigger 8for actuating the switch and a selector 1t) for selecting differentpairs of stationary cont-acts for bridging when the trigger and selectorare depressed. The switch also comprises a pair of helical compressionsprings 12 and 14 -for re- .storing the trigger- .and opening the switchcontacts when it is released and for providing positioning bias betweenthe selector and the trigger.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, base 2 is substantially cup-shaped havingsides and a closed end and an open end. The open end of the base has agenerally square configuration yas shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the frontor open end proiile thereof is broken by four grooves 2a, one suchgroove being adjacent each corner, for receiving securing straps of theswitch frame which are bent around the edges of the base at the cornersthereof as hereinafter more fully described. Base 2 is provided with aprojection 2b in its closed end which is illustrated as being round andwhich is provided within the cavity of the base with a dat yround recess2c to provide room for the rear end of .shaft 10a of selector 10 whenthe trigger is pressed all the way in.

Base 2 is `provided with a pair of grooves 2d and 2e on each cornerthereof extending from the closed end to a point near the open endthereof leaving an overhanging edge 2f at each corner of the base.Groove 2d is deeper than and communicates with strap groove 2a toprovide overhanging edge 2f on each corner of the base shown in FIGS. land 2 to .the rear undercut side of which the end of each. trarne strapcan be ben-t to secure the frame front and to the base. Groove 2e is onthe other side of each corner of .the base from lgroove 2d. Groove 2e iswider than and as long as groove 2d to provide room for the contactterminals which extend through edge 2f of the base as hereinafter morefully described.

Base 2 is provided with an inner cavity having a generally round andelongated or cylindrical configuration as most clearly shown in FIGS. 4and 5 and extending all the way from recess 2c to the open end of thebase. The inner walls of this cavity are provided with four grooves 2gspaced 90 degrees from each other and eX- tend toward the middle of eachhat side of the base between groove 2d on one corner and groove 2e onthe adjacent corner. These grooves 2g are provided to accommodatestationary spring contacts. Adjacent each groove 2g and between suchgroove and the clockwise corner of the base a narrow slot 2h (FIG. 2)extends all the way through overhanging edge 2f of the base intocommunication with exterior groove 2e for mounting a EB connectorterminal which is integral with the stationary contact as hereinafterdescribed.

Between grooves 2g within the cavity of base 2, there are providedinwardly projecting ridges 2j as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 which preventturning of the Contact carrier when the trigger is in its depressedposition. As shown in FIG. 4, ridges 2j extend from the closed end ofthe base about halfway toward the open end thereof and are each providedwith a beveled end to prevent interference with movement of the bridgingcontacts when the trigger is pressed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, there are provided four, like stationarycontact clips or springs 16, 18, 20 and 22. Each contact clip such ascontact clip 16 is of generally U-shaped configuration. One leg 16aforms a stationary spring contact and is bent inwardly within the basecavity so that its free end extends out of groove 2g as shown in FIG. 4to form a cam surface for cooperation with a movable contact bridge orcontactor hereinafter described. The other leg 161; thereof extendsthrough slot 2h, FIG. 2, to the exterior of the base to form anelectrical terminal or connector member to which an electrical conductormay be connected. Confinement of connector leg 16h in its narrow slot 2hmaintains the integral stationary contact leg 16a in the proper positionto be engaged by the movable contact. The base is provided with ashallow groove between each groove 2g and the associated connector slot2h at the open end of the base to receive the yoke or connecting portionof the contact clip which extends between contact leg 16a and connector16b. Base l. and stationary contact clips lo, 18, 20 and 22 are likethose shown in Harry W. Brown copending application, Serial No. 194,811,filed May 15, 1962, now Patent Number 3,143,606, granted August 4, 1964,and reference may be had thereto for a more detailed illustrationthereof.

Trigger 8 is provided with an enlarged front portion 8a having the formof a generally rectangular block with rounded sides. A square projection8b extends from the mid-portion of the rear surface of enlarged portion8a. A hole 8c extends through both such portions of the trigger. Theforward end of hole 8c is provided with an enlarged portion 8d (FIG. 7)extending through the upper 270 degrees and extending axially almostthrough enlarged portion 8a of the trigger. As shown in FIG. 7, theenlarged portion of the hole leaves a lower portion Se of reduceddiameter through the lower 90 degrees of the forward end thereof toserve as a stop for selector 10 as hereinafter described. The rear endportion of hole 8c is provided with a slightly enlarged portion 8f oflarger diameter as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 to accommodate a positioningbias spring 24. Spring 24 is a helical compression spring surroundingshaft 10a between trigger 8 and a contact carrier 26 for maintaining theselector in either one of its two indexed positions. A pair of alinedridges Sg are provided on the front surface of trigger 8, one on eachside of hole 8c, for snapping engagement and retention in complementarygrooves 10b in the rear surface of the enlarged handle portion ofselector 10. It will be apparent that spring 24 adds to the bias betweenthe trigger and selector supplied by springs 12 and 14.

The forward end of shaft 10a immediately behind the rear surface of theenlarged handle portion of selector 10 is provided with an enlargedarcuate 90 degree segment 10c extending partway along the shaft andbeing integral therewith. Segment 10c has a diameter to tit freely inthe enlarged portion 8d of the hole in the trigger and to rotate therein180 degrees until it stops against arcuate reduced portion 8e of thetrigger.

As most clearly shown in FIGS. and 6, the rear end of shaft a isprovided on opposite sides thereof with keyways or a pair of arcuategrooves Itld extending from the rear end thereof a sufficient distanceto receive the key-like ridges of contact carrier 2o hereinafterdescribed. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, grooves lod on opposite sides ofthe shaft leave a pair of enlarged portions 1de. Grooves ltid are eachprovided with an arcuate width sufficient to afford degrees rela tiverotation between shaft 16a and Contact carrier Z6. As shown in FIG. 5,the sides of enlarged portions we are formed so as to lie hat againstthe sides of the ridges in the contact carrier when shaft ltla andcontact carrier 26 are in their extreme rotary positions relative to oneanother and when the shaft rotates the contact carrier. As shown in FIG.6, enlarged portions lite stop short of the rear end of shaft lila. Theextreme rear end of shaft lila is provided with a short tubular portionlil-f which can be molded or riveted over to secure the contact carrierto the shaft as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. A washer, not shown, may beplaced against the rear end of the contact carrier before the end of theshaft is riveted over. Shaft 10a is preferably made of nylon or the likeand may be cold riveted over the washer.

Frame 4 comprises a sheet metal stamping for securing the switch partsto one another and for supporting a spring-biased locking pin 3d. Frame4 is like the frame more specifically illustrated and described in theaforementioned Harry W. Brown copending application and reference may behad thereto for a more detailed description thereof. Generally, framethas a square hole for slidably receiving projection 3b of the trigger.Frame 4 has a pair of ears ea and 4b shown in FIG. 3 extending inopposite directions from opposite edges of the frame to overlie recesses8h in the rear surface of the trigger. Ears 4a and 4b are each providedon the front surface with a rounded bead-like raised portion 4c shown inFIG. 3. These raised portions fit within the ends of springs 12 and 14,respectively, to retain the springs from slipping off the ears while thelatter retain the springs in recesses 8h. A projection or arm 4d shownin FIG. l extends forwardly from frame 4 for mounting locking pin 3o ofknown type. A recess 8j is formed in portion Sa of trigger S to receivethe end of the locking pin to retain the trigger in its depressedposition. The locking pin is illustrated and described in more detail inthe aforementioned Harry W. Brown copending application.

Insulator 6 is like the insulator illustrated and described in theaforementioned copending application. It comprises a square flatinsulating member having a square hole therein for slidablyaccommodating projection 8b of the trigger. It is held in place bysuitable projections on the edges of the base fitti-ng into slots on thecorners of the :square hole in the insulator. The function of theinsulator is to electrically insulate the stationary contacts andterminals from the switch frame. Frame 4 is provided with four straps 4eextending rearwardly from adjacent the corners thereof for securing theparts together as hereinafter described.

`Contact carrier 26 shown in FIG. 6 comprises a generally cylindricalinsulating member having an annular ange 26a at its forward end tooverlie margins of the square hole in insulator 6. A portion of ange 26aof the contact carrier is cut away through an angle of slightly over 90degrees to form a `slot 26b for a round projection or stop 8k extendingrearwardly from the upper right-hand corner of projection 8b of thetrigger. As will be apparent, slot 2617 allows rotation of contactcarrier 26 ninety degrees relative to the trigger. Carrier 26 isprovided with a bore 26C therethrough which is round except for a pairof opposed key-like ridges 26d extending toward one another fromopposite sides of the -bore degrees apart and throughout the length ofthe bore. Bore 26C is of a diameter whereby the contact carrier slidesonto the rear end of shaft lila with ridges 26d in .arcuate grooves ltldin the shaft. It will be apparent that ridges 26d and grooves ltlfdprvoide 90 degrees relative rotary movement between the shaft and thecontact carrier, that is, 90 degrees lost motion when the selector isrotated. A pair of a-rcuate gr-ooves 26e are provided adjacent the rearend of the contact carrier and extend partway around the opposite `sidesthereof through angles of over 90 dcgrees. These grooves 26e snuglyreceive a pair of arcu- :ate bridging contacts or contactors 32 and 34.Each movable or bridging contact such as 32 is provided with a narrow-center .or midportion as shown in FIG. 5 tor fitting fully within itsassociated groove 26e and wider end p0rtion-s 32a which extend beyondthe outer surface of carrier 25 for engaging and connecting togethertwoof the stationary spring contacts 16, 18, 20 and 22 when the triggeris depressed. Grooves 26e and movable contacts 32 and 34 are like thosemore fully illustrated and described in the aforementioned Harry W.Brown copending application.

To rassemble the switch, shaft a of the selector iS inserted in the holein the trigger. Then springs 12 and 14 are placed in recesses 8h in thetrigger. Spring 24 is placed on the rear end of shaft 10a and droppedinto hole 8f. Then frame 4 and insulator 6 are placed on reduced portion8b of the trigger. Contact carrier 26 is placed on the shaft and the endof the shaft is riveted over to secure the subassembly together. Awasher may be inserted on the rear end ofthe yshaft after the contactcarrier if desired and the end of the shaft riveted over the washer. Thecombined stationary contacts and connector terminals are then placed inbase 2 and bridging contacts 32 and 34 are inserted in grooves 26e inthecontact car- Iier. The contact carrier portion of the subassernbly isthen inserted inside the base so that the projections on the base enterthe slots in the insulator. This causes straps 4e of the frame 4 toslide along respective grooves 2a in the base whereafter the ends of thestraps are bent over and forwardly into the undercut ends of grooves 2dto rigidly -secure the switch subassembly to the base.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, selector I0 is shown as having been rotated 90 degreesclockwise from its extreme counterclockwise position. During this first90 degrees of rotation, only the selector rotates and contact carrier 26remains in the position shown in FIG. 5 while 90 degrees of lost motionis taken up between raised portions 10e of the selector shaft and ridges26d Within the contact carrierbore. It will be apparent from FIG. 5 thatdepression of the trigger while the selector is in its extremecounterclockwise position causes bridging contact 32 to connectstationary contacts 16 and 18 and causes bridging contact 34 to connectstationary contacts 20 and 22. The narrow midportions of the movablecontacts ride onto ridges 2j within base 2 to prevent the contactcarrier from being turned while the trigger is in its depressedposition. When the trigger is released, springs 12 and 14 return the.same to its undepressed position. In this position, the` movablecontacts clear the beveled ends of ridges 2j as shown in FIG. 4 so thatthe contact carrier can be rotated.

In FIGS. 3 and 6, selector 10 is shown as having been rotated fullyclockwise. When selector 10 is rotated another 90 degrees clockwise fromthe position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and6, raised portions 10e of the selector shaft bear against ridges 26d .asshown in FIG. 5 and the selector rotates the contactor carrier 90degrees therewith until V-shaped ridges 8g ori the trigger snap intoV-shaped grooves 10b in the selector. These V-shaped indexing ridges andgrooves aline the selector with the trigger in each of their relativepositions so that the selector head or enlarged portion does not catchon the edge of the hole in the tool handle when the trigger and selectorare depressed to close the contacts. When the selector is rotated fullyclockwise, segment 10c of the selector stops .against the clockwise endof enlarged h-ole 8d in the trigger to prevent further rotation of theselector. Also, the counterclockwise end of slot 26b on the contactcarrier stops against stop pin 8k on the trigger to prevent furtherrotation of the c011- tact carrier. In this connection, it will beapparent that slot 26b is given an arcuate length such that theclockwise end thereof stops against .stop pin Sk when the selector iSrotated fully counterclockwise. Referring to FIG. 5, it will be`apparent that in the full clockwise position of the select-or, movablecontact 32 will have been `shifted to bridge stationary contacts 18 and2t) and movable contact 34 will have been shifted to bridge stationarycontacts 22 and 16 when the trigger is depressed.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that there iS provided adouble-pole, double-throw switch 'which has many possible applicationsin electrical .systems including the portable tool motor reversingapplication disclosed yin the aforementioned copending application. f

The modification shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 iS like the switch shownin FIGS. l-7 except that the trigger and selector have been modified. In`this modification, the head or enlarged portion of selectorkl formsonly a part of the forward end of trigger 8 rather than the entireforward end as in FIGS. 1-7. The trigger is provided with a suitablerecess 8m to receive the selector head. To enable rotation of theselector relative to the trigger, the upper and lower surfaces 8u ofrecess 8m are made concave and the corresponding surfaces 10i of theselector are made convex in the form of complementary partial segmentsof a circle. Also, the bottom of recess 3m is provided with -a pair ofraised, partial spherical beads 8p, one on each side of the hole in thetrigger. The rear surface of the enlarged head of the selector isprovided with complementary recesses 10g for snap engagement with beads8p to index or aline the selector with the trigger in each selectorposition.

In each of the switches hereinbefore described, spring 24 could beomitted and hole 8f left unenlarged if desired. While spring 24 biasesthe trigger in the left-hand direction and biases the selector in theright-hand direction to provide snap action indexing, it will beapparent that springs 12 and 14 provide a similar bias and that thesesprings are slightly compressedwhen the selector is turned to forceridges Sg out of grooves 10b in FIG. 6 or to force beads 8p out ofrecesses 10g in FIG. 1l. Therefore, if springs 12 and 14 are made strongenough for proper indexing, they could perform the function of spring24.

While the switches hereinbefore described are elfectively adapted tofulll theobjects stated, it is to be understood that I do not intend toconne rny invention to the particular preferred embodiments of selectorswitches disclosed, inasmuch as they are susceptible of variousmodifications without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electric switch of the self-enclosed trigger actuated type adaptedfor mounting in a housi-ng so that the self-enclosed switch is withinthe housing and the actuator extends through an aperture for manualdepression comprising:

an insulating base;

a palurality of stationary contacts mounted within said ase;

a movable contact carrier within said base having at least one contactmounted thereon;

a contact selector extending into said base to support said contactcarrier and being operable to rotate Isai/.l contact carrier thereby toPreselect another stationary contact for engagement by said movablecontact;

a spring-biased actuator through which said contact selector rotatablyextends and being axially movable with said contact selector after saidpreselection has been made to close the selected contacts, said actuatorhaving a narrow elongated cross-section and being slidable in theaperture in the housing in which the switch is used, and said contactselector having an enlarged head portion facilitating manual turningthereof and being coextensive with at least a portion of the sides ofsaid actuator;

spaanse and a limited lost motion connection between said contactselector and said contact carrier to allow rotation of Said selectormore than said contact carrier rotates thereby to afford alinement ofthe head portion of said selector with the head of said actuator afterthe movable contact has been alined with a `stationary contact.

2. In an electric switch of the self-enclosed plunger actuated typeadapted for mounting in a housing so that the self-enclosed switch iswithin the housing and the actuator extends through a conining aperturefor manual depression, the combination comprising:

an insulating base;

a plurality of stationary contacts mounted within said base;

a movable contact carrier within said base having at least one bridgingcontact mounted thereon;

a contact selector extending into said base to support said contactcarrier and having an enlarged head portion enabling manual rotation torotate said contact carrier thereby to preselect a pair of stationarycontacts for engagement by said movable contact;

a spring-biased actuator through which said selector rotatably extendsand being axially linearly movable with said selector to close theselected contacts, said actuator having a narrow elongated cross-sectionand being slidable in the aperture in the housing in which the switch isused, and the head portion of said selector being coextensive with atleast a portion of the sides of said acuator;

and means responsive to rotation of said selector 180 degrees intoalinement with said actuator for rotating said contact carrier less than180 degrees to aline said movable contact with a pair of stationarycontacts thereby to allow linear depression of said ac tuator andselector to close the contacts.

3. The invention dened in claim 2, wherein said means comprisescooperating portions on said selector and contact carrier providingninety degrees lost motion therebetween, said contact carrier rotatingninety degrees in response to said selector rotating one hundred eightydegrees.

4. The invention defined in claim 3, wherein said cooperating portionscomprise:

(a) a bore in said contact carrier;

(b) a shaft on said selector extending into said bore;

(c) and ridges and grooves in said bore and shaft, said grooves havingarcuate widths to allow ninety degrees free movement of said ridgestherein.

5. The invention dened in claim 2, together with cooperating portions onsaid actuator and contact carrier restricting rotation of the latter toninety degrees.

6. The invention defined in claim 2, together with coperating portionson said actuator and said selector restricting rotation of the latter toone hundred eighty degrees.

An electrical selector switch of the trigger actuated type adapted formounting in the handle of a portable electric tool comprising:

(a) a cup-shaped insulating base;

(b) stationary contacts mounted within said base and angularly spacedninety degrees apart from one another;

(c) a rotary contact carrier within said base and having a pair ofarcuate movable contacts mounted thereon for bridging pairs of saidstationary contacts when said contact carrier is depressed further into`said base;

(d) a spring biased trigger member for depressing said contact carrier;

(e) a contact selector having a shaft extending through said triggermember into a bore in said Contact carrier and having an enlarged handleportion forming a part of the prole of said trigger member and wherebysaid shaft may be turned, said selector and trigger member having anarrow elongated cross-section and being symmetrical in such elongateddirection;

(f) and lost motion cooperating portions between said selector and saidcontact carrier effective when said contact carrier is rotated ninetydegrees to select diiferent pairs of stationary contacts for bridging bythe movable contacts for allowing rotation of said selector anotherninety degrees to one hundred eighty degrees into symmetrical alinementwith said trigger member whereby said selector handle portion will notcatch on the tool handle when it is depressed to close the contacts.

8. The invention delined in claim 7, together with means for preventingrotation of said contact carrier when said selector is held either inits clockwise position or its counterclocltwise position one hundredeighty degrees from said clockwise position.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 38,229 3/09 Austria.892,539 1/44r France. 199,434 6/08 Germany.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Acting Primary Examiner. BERNARD A. GILHEANY,Examiner.

1. AN ELECTRIC SWITCH OF THE SELF-ENCLOSED TRIGGER ACTUATED TYPE ADAPTEDFOR MOUNTING IN A HOUSING SO THAT THE SELF-ENCLOSED SWITCH IS WITHIN THEHOUSING AND THE ACTUATOR EXTENDS THROUGH AN APERTURE FOR MANUALDEPRESSION COMPRISING: AN INSULATING BASE; A PLURALITY OF STATIONARYCONTACTS MOUNTED WITHIN SAID BASE; A MOVABLE CONTACT CARRIER WITHIN SAIDBASE HAVING AT LEAST ONE CONTACT MOUNTED THEREON; A CONTACT SELECTOREXTENDING INTO SAID BASE TO SUPPORT SAID CONTACT CARRIER AND BEINGOPERABLE TO ROTATE SAID CONTACT CARRIER THEREBY TO PRESELECT ANOTHERSTATIONARY CONTACT FOR ENGAGEMENT BY SAID MOVABLE CONTACT; ASPRING-BIASED ACTUATOR THROUGH WHICH SAID CONTACT SELECTOR ROTATABLYEXTENDS AND BEING AXIALLY MOVABLE WITH SAID CONTACT SELECTOR AFTER SAIDPRESELECTION HAS BEEN MADE TO CLOSE THE SELECTED CONTACTS, SAID ACTUATORHAVING A NARROW ELONGATED CROSS-SECTION AND BEING SLIDABLE IN THEAPERTURE IN THE HOUSING IN WHICH THE SWITCH IS USED, AND SAID CONTACTSELECTOR HAVING AN ENLARGED HEAD PORTION FACILITATING MANUAL TURNINGTHEREOF AND BEING COEXTENSIVE WITH AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE SIDES OFSAID ACTUATOR; AND A LIMITED LOST MOTION CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID CONTACTSELECTOR AND SAID CONTACT CARRIER TO ALLOW ROTATION OF SAID SELECTORMORE THAN SAID CONTACT CARRIER ROTATES THEREBY TO AFFORD ALINEMENT OFTHE HEAD PORTION OF SAID SELECTOR WITH THE HEAD OF SAID ACTUATOR AFTERTHE MOVABLE CONTACT HAS BEEN ALINED WITH A STATIONARY CONTACT.